Knock, knock, knock! Liam Willow anxiously rapped on the door, looking all kinds of awkward. One hand clutched the sheet around his chest as if terrified it might slip, while the other tapped timidly at the door.
"Come in," Ivy Shen called, already letting her hair down and getting ready to rest when she heard the knock.
Creak—the door swung open. Liam shuffled in, clutching his sheet on both sides, took a few awkward steps, closed the door, then peeked back at Ivy, who looked totally stunned. Face burning, he stammered, "Wife...!"
Little white rabbit, what are you doing?" Ivy circled him, totally baffled by how he'd bundled himself up like a silkworm baby.
"Wife... wife..." Liam stammered, awkwardly trailing Ivy in circles, gripping his sheet. "Wife, stop spinning—I’m getting dizzy..."
"What are you even doing?" Ivy frowned at him.
"Big brother said... said I should sleep with you tonight... so I washed up and tried to follow palace etiquette." He finished, not daring to look up at her.
Pfft!" Ivy couldn't help laughing at his words. "Big brother? You mean Adrian Night, right?"
"Yeah, yeah!" Liam looked up, only to see Ivy smiling, her long black hair spilling over her chest, her gorgeous face studying him. His heart thudded wildly.
"Adrian Night!" Ivy shook her head helplessly. He probably sent Liam because he knew they’d be leaving soon. Typical Adrian!
Doesn’t that sheet bother you? Go on, get in bed.
Huh? Get... get in bed? Right now? Do I need to prepare anything? Liam was suddenly super nervous. He was just a bookworm—he’d never talked about this kind of stuff, and always ran off blushing if the neighborhood aunties gossiped about it.
Seeing him so nervous, Ivy couldn’t help but feel like the big bad wolf staring at a helpless little white rabbit about to be sacrificed.
Relax, I’m not going to eat you. Stop overthinking! You’re here to keep me company, not to serve like a concubine—so you don’t need to dress up like a palace beauty." Ivy stifled a laugh. "Alright, companion—you get the inside of the bed.
No way!" Liam blurted out, instantly rejecting the idea.
Huh?" She was genuinely surprised by his rejection.
The inside is for the lady. I’ll sleep outside so I can protect you if anything happens in the night." Liam said this with total seriousness—even though he couldn’t fight at all, he still wanted to shield her.
Seeing his reasoning, Ivy suddenly understood. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling—he really couldn’t fight, but from the moment she arrived in this world, he’d always tried to look out for her.
Wife... wife, come on!" Already on the bed, Liam called softly to Ivy, having draped his sheet over a chair.
Little white rabbit, you’re not naked under there, are you?" she teased, approaching him.
I am wearing something—just my underwear," he stammered, face turning red. "But, but, I’m not wearing a shirt...
Oh, I see!" Ivy grinned slyly and suddenly flipped back his quilt. The second she did, she froze, while Liam, panicked, clutched his chest like a frantic little rabbit and squeaked in alarm.
Wow... your skin’s so pale!" Compared to martial artists like Adrian Night and Lucian Vane, Liam’s body was different—no abs, but not an ounce of extra fat. His skin was baby-soft and white, like a child’s.
Wife..." Liam mumbled, mortified by her words.
Hmm." Snapping out of her thoughts, Ivy glanced at Liam’s flushed face, smiled, and climbed onto the inner side of the bed.
So the two of them lay down together.
Wife, you’re leaving on a long trip tomorrow, right? Is there anything I can do to help?" Staring at the mosquito net, Liam sounded a little sad. After tonight, who knew when he’d see her again? The thought made his heart ache.
Just stay safe—that’s the biggest help you can give me.
Hearing that, Liam’s hand trembled as he gripped hers tightly under the blanket. He knew he couldn’t fight, so he was determined not to be a burden.
Little white rabbit, do you like the me from when I was a kid, or the me now?" Ivy asked, turning to look at him.
Turning to face her, Liam said, "When I was a kid, you gave me dreams and something to strive for. Now that I’ve married you, I truly want to protect you, whether you’re really foolish or not. But I never expected, when we went to town, that you’d be so smart and skilled. What shocked me most was when you helped that woman give birth—when you handed her that egg, I felt so lucky to have such a brilliant wife. From that moment, my heart was yours. No matter what life you choose, I’ve promised myself I’ll never leave you." His words weren’t flowery, but every sentence was honest and straight from the heart.
Those words made Ivy’s heart tremble. Looking at Liam’s pure, earnest face, she suddenly propped herself up and kissed him, without a hint of hesitation.
Mmm..." Liam was totally stunned.
Be good, close your eyes," she whispered in his ear. He obediently closed his eyes, and Ivy smiled, leaning in to deepen the kiss. So this is what it feels like for the big bad wolf to finally eat the little white rabbit—so satisfying!
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